The Belly Button in Tummy Tuck Surgery

At a certain stage during a Tummy Tuck surgery the plastic surgeon has to decide how to handle the umbilicus. Anatomically the belly button is attached to the body in the midline at a certain level which differs in individuals. Some may have high belly buttons while other may have their umbilicus at a very low level. The normal level of umbilicus cannot and should not be changed because it will look unnatural.

During abdominoplasty the umbilicus is left attached to the body in its original shape and location. In order to pull and tighten the loose tummy skin, a circular incision is made around the umbilicus to allow the abdominal skin to be freed from the belly button so that when it's pulled down tight, the umbilicus will not be pulled down with it. The excess abdominal skin is then removed and a new hole is made for the original umbilicus to come through. Next the umbilicus is sewn to the edges of the hole. In reality we do not create a new umbilicus nor do we detach or relocate it. It is the patient own belly button which is brought out through a new opening.